March 2013 OPA Extern Profile: Marissa Henning

Hobbies: Running, spending time with my family, recreation sports with friends, and learning how to cook

How did you get interested in the profession of pharmacy? I always had an interest in the health care field, and wanted to pursue a career in that field. I wasn’t sure what profession exactly, so I had set up various experiences to explore different areas. I worked as a pharmacy technician throughout my time at SUNY University at Buffalo. I had shadowing experiences in medicine and with a physician assistant. After graduation, I worked full-time as a pharmacy technician in a hospital, and I loved it. I had a great support system, and finally decided that pharmacy was a perfect fit as my future career.

Why did you choose OPA as a rotation?Throughout pharmacy school, I had a great amount of exposure to pharmacy associations through my various leadership positions at Ohio State. As president of APhA-ASP, I became very familiar with OPA, and wanted to continue that throughout my fourth-year rotations. I want to stay involved after graduation and I knew a rotation at OPA would give me a better understanding of association management.

What was the most significant or surprising experience at OPA?I think the most surprising experience at OPA was the wide variety of activities I have had the opportunity to take part in. I really enjoyed all of my projects throughout the month, everything from legislative activities, to reviewing documents for the annual conference, to presentations in the community. I learned that association management is very different day to day, and I found that as an exciting part of this rotation.

What other pharmacy associations/organizations do you belong to? APhA-ASP, SSHP/ASHP, PLS